Join other Christians during Lent for the Spring 40 Days for Life Campaign in, Naples Fort Myers and Sarasota. The campaign begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and continues through April 13.
40 days for Life is an international 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion mills. This year’s campaign is the biggest Lenten effort yet, with prayer vigils planned in 660 cities. This campaign encompasses 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. There are opportunities to stand and peacefully pray during vigils in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood abortion facilities in Naples, Fort Myers or Sarasota.
The Sarasota prayer vigil is daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 736 Central Ave. A kick-off event will take place at 4:30 p.m., Monday, March 3, with special guest Shawn Carney, President and CEO of 40 Days for Life. Carney led the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign outside a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Bryan/College Station, Texas in 2004. The Diocese of Venice was one of the earliest to participate in the national campaign which began in 2006. For information about the Sarasota campaign, please visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/sarasota.
The Naples prayer vigil is 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, at 1425 Creech Road. A Kick-off event will take place at noon on March 5 (Ash Wednesday), with guest speaker Ramona Trevino, former director of outreach & former Planned Parenthood manager, sharing her story. Scott Baier, Director of Community Pregnancy Clinics, will also speak. In addition, there will be a meet and greet event at noon, Wednesday, April 2, with Shawn Carney, President and CEO of 40 Days for Life. For more additional information about 40 Days activities in Naples, please visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/naples.
The Fort Myers prayer vigil is 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, at 6418 Commerce Park Drive. For more information, visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/fortmyers.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane has been supportive of the Diocesan participation in 40 Days for Life, since he arrived in the Diocese in 2006, encouraging the faithful to stand in peaceful vigil. “As Catholics, we are called to teach, defend and protect those who are most vulnerable and promote a greater respect for life. All life is a gift. We must stand witness for the unborn.”
Check with your local Parish to learn the days they are committed to standing up for life. Participants are encouraged to spend at least one hour in silent prayer in front of a local abortion facility seeking an end to legalized abortion in the U.S. Recent victories to curb access to abortion in Florida are not the end of this fight, but a new beginning.
Since 40 Days for Life began, more than 25,000 mothers have chosen life for their children; 260 abortion workers have quit their jobs; and more than 150 abortion mills where 40 Days for Life vigils have been held, have gone out of business.
